Private investment group
Specialist advisory, investment, and capital solutions firm founded by former Babcock & Brown executives in 2010. Acquired Noni B in 2014.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Jan 2015)
Praise
Criticism
Information
Alceon Group Pty Ltd
Praise
Criticism
Information
Unconscionable conduct
This company was involved in a landmark court case heard in the NSW Supreme Court in 2015. Alceon agreed to lend $23 million to property development entity Quadwest, which was in desperate need of funds to pay significant creditors and ensure completion of a large residential project in Perth. One of the conditions of the loan was that the developer's elderly parents would need to give up their family home if Quadvest defaulted on the loan, which it did. The court found that this condition of the loan was "unconscionable", and the family home was saved.
Source: Bransgroves Lawyers
(2015)
About the founders
This company was founded by Phil Green and Trevor Loewensohn, two of the men behind Babcock & Brown, Australia's biggest corporate failure. This Crikey article reveals details of how Green retained a number of valuable assets and millions in cash, while the company he was running collapsed.
Source: Crikey
(2014)
Company Details
Type:
Private company
Subsidiaries:
Marlin Management Services Ltd
(50% owned)
Consumer durables
Acquired Albi in 2016, Decor in 2017, and Willow Ware in 2018. Serves more than 18,000 retailers throughout Australia and New Zealand. Acquired by investment companies Oaktree Capital Management and Alceon Group in 2019.
The Decor Corporation Pty Ltd
Homewares
Founded in Melbourne in 1958 and acquired by Marlin Brands in 2017. Bought Willow Ware in 2018.
Willow Ware Australia Pty Ltd
Houseware and cookware
Founded in Melbourne in 1887. Acquired Starmaid in 2013 to become the largest peg manufacturer in Australia. One manufacturing facility in Tullamarine, Melbourne. Acquired by Marlin Brands-owned Decor Corporation in 2018.
Mosaic Brands Ltd
(36% owned)
Women's fashion retailer
Formerly Noni B Ltd. Founded in 1977, listed on the ASX in 2000, with private investment group Alceon becoming a major shareholder in 2014. They operate about 700 stores around Australia. Acquired the Events and Queenspark brands in 2015, Pretty Girl Fashion Group in 2016 and 5 clothing brands from Speciality Fashion Group in 2018. In September 2024 Mosaic announced it will wind down 5 brands (Rockmans, Autograph, Crossroads, W Lane and BeMe) and a month later went into voluntary administration. Katies will also be wound down.
Rivers (Australia) Pty Ltd
Clothing retailer
National clothing and footwear retailer for men and women with 150 stores across Australia. Previously owned by Philip Goodman, who sold the company to Specialty Fashion Group in Nov 2013 for $5 million, who sold the company to Noni B in 2018.
EziBuy Ltd
Clothing and homewares retailer
Established in New Zealand in 1978 and acquired by Woolworths in 2013. Sydney-based investment firm, Alceon Group bought the business from Woolworths in 2017, and sold 51% to Mosaic Brands in 2019, who took over full ownership in 2021. In Australia Ezibuy sells its products online and through catalogues only, but operates some retail stores in New Zealand. Entered into administration in April 2023.
Pretty Girl Fashion Group Pty Ltd
Clothing retail
Operates over 350 retail ladies fashion outlets across Australia under the brands Table Eight, Rockmans, BeMe and W. Lane. Bought Rockmans from Woolworths for $50 million in 2000. Owned by Packer's Consolidated Press Holdings until 2016, when Noni B acquired the group for over $75 million.
Contact Details
Address:
Level 16, 20 Hunter St, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia
Phone:
02 8023 4000
Website:
Products / Brands
Marlin Brands (50% owned)
Zanui
Homewares Stores
Aura
Pegs
Decor
Food Storage Containers
Decor
Brushware & Mops
Reva
Pegs
Starmaid
Document Storage
Willow
BBQ Needs
Willow
Document Storage
Autograph
Womens Plus Size
Autograph
Womens Fashion
BeMe
Womens Plus Size
BeMe
Womens Fashion
Crossroads
Womens Fashion
Crossroads
Womens Plus Size
Events
Womens Fashion
Katies
Womens Fashion
Liz Jordan
Womens Fashion
Maggie T
Womens Fashion
Millers
Womens Fashion
Noni B
Womens Fashion
Rivers
Mens Shoes
Rivers
Womens Shoes
Rivers
Childrenswear
Rivers
Womens Fashion
Rivers
Menswear (casual)
Rockmans
Womens Fashion
Table Eight
Womens Fashion
W. Lane
Womens Fashion
Ezibuy
E-commerce